When touring the Great White North, backpackers and jet-setters often venture to the top Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. These cities offer something for everyone, making them attractive destinations. However, besides the allure of Toronto’s world-famous CN Tower, Old Montreal’s colonial architectureor Vancouver’s Granville Island (which is excellent for food)there are other unique destinations nestled in other Canadian cities. Instead, travelers booking their vacations in Canada should stop by these fantastic cities to discover their unique charm and personality, coast to coast!
10 Victoria, British Columbia
Photo of the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Canadian coastal city of Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city, sitting on the southern end of Vancouver Island. Victoria’s cityscape is like a painting, blessed with picturesque views around the harbor and beyond. Equipped with an ideal growing climate, it’s no wonder Victoria earned its nickname “Canada’s Garden City!”. Being one of the best cities in Canada to visit, there’s plenty to do and see. Stroll through Victoria’s green spaces this summer and appreciate the blooming flowers (counted as 27,875,292,158 in 2022)! Visitors can also explore the city’s neighborhoods and attractions, such as Victoria’s Chinatown (which is one of the oldest in Canada).
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Top Attractions in Victoria:
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Royal BC Museum, Beacon Hill Park
9 Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City
Visit Quebec’s capital of Quebec City, which is nestled along the northern shores of the St. Lawrence River and is one of the top cities to visit in Canada. Quebec City is the only city in North America with a Francophone government and functions as a hub for Francophone culture. Specifically, curious visitors can explore the cobblestones streets of Quebec’s UNESCO-listed Old Citya World Heritage Site and the only fortified city north of Mexico! Within these walls, travelers can climb the steps of the Casse-Cou stairs or take a snapshot of the Château Frontenac.
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Top Attractions in Quebec City:
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Montmorency Falls, The Citadel of Quebec
8 Ottawa, Ontario
The Canadian Parliament Building framed by Red Tulips in the Spring in Ottawa, Ontario – the nation s capital. Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada.
Nestled on the Ottawa River near the border of Quebec lies Canada’s capital, the city of Ottawa, which offers plenty of fun and unique things to do. Besides learning about the Canadian government at Parliament Hill, travelers can uncover the capital city and partake in recreational activities around the Rideau Canal (the world’s longest skating rink), visit the Royal Canadian Mint, or appreciate art at the National Gallery of Canada! The city also hosts a collection of summer events, including the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Almonte Celtfest, the RBC Bluesfest, and Canada Day.
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Top Attractions in Ottawa:
Parliament Hill, National Gallery of Canada, Rideau Canal, Canadian Museum of Nature
7 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Aerial view of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in Canada.
The capital of Prince Edward Island is on Hillsborough Bay, sitting on the mouths of the Elliot, North, and Hillsborough Rivers. Charlottetown serves as the primary municipality in Canada’s smallest province, attracting tourists yearly due to its pleasant weather, nearby beaches, and coastal charm. Today, Charlottetown’s cityscape retains many of its historic buildings and landmarks. Travelers can admire the city’s historic church architecture while visiting St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Basilica, its mansions like Beaconsfield Historic House, or the Brighton Beach Lighthouse.
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Top Attractions in Charlottetown:
St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, Beaconsfield Historic House, Confederation Landing
6 St. John’s, Newfoundland And Labrador
Photo of St. John’s, Newfoundland in the day time, on top of Signal Hill.
Discover the beauty of Canada’s east coast with a visit to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the best cities to visit in Canada as a tourist. This hilly and quaint city has no shortage of things to see. Visitors can learn about Newfoundland’s history by visiting Signal Hillappreciate the vibrant houses along Jellybean Row, visit Cape Spear lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the provinceor enjoy the city nightlife at George Street. The heart of Canada’s east coast beats at St. John’s, a historic city with stunning vibes!
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Top Attractions in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, Signal Hill National Historic Site, The Rooms, Qidi Vidi Lake
5 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photo of boats parked on Fisherman’s Cove outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Spend the summer exploring the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest urban area in Atlantic Canada in Halifax. This coastal city hosts one of the world’s largest harbors and serves as a vital center for the economy within Atlantic Canada (and within Canada). Halifax lures tourists with its mild winter climates, beaches, and fresh seafood. Watch the noon gun at Citadel National Historic Site (which also features a great view of the city), walk the Halifax Boardwalk, and sample a comforting donair (Halifax’s official food made with pita filled with roasted shaved beef, tomatoes, onions, and donair sauce)!
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Top Attractions in Halifax:
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax Public Gardens, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Point Pleasant Park
4 Saint John, New Brunswick
Photo of a bridge in Saint John, New Brunswick.
New Brunswick’s second-largest city is located on the Saint John River and is the only “true” city to be located on the Bay of Fundy, which offers lots of tourist attractions. Canadian history is plentiful at Saint John, as it’s Canada’s oldest city! History buffs will love walking through the city and discovering its collection of National Historic Sites, including those at the Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area and the Saint John City Market (Canada’s oldest farmer’s market). Saint John is also a gateway to soaking in the sights of the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world!
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Top Attractions in Saint John:
Saint John City Market, Irving Nature Park, Rockwood Park, Kings Square, Rockwood Park
3 Whitehorse, Yukon
View of The Yukon Territory In Summer
Visit the capital of Yukon, a city founded during the the historic Klondike Gold Rush and named after the foam in the rapids on the Yukon River (which resembled manes on white horses)! Travelers venturing along the Alaska Highway should make a stop at Whitehorse, a small city with a huge backyard. Nicknamed the Wilderness City, visitors stopping by this Yukon City can enjoy a range of outdoor activities nearby, like mountain biking and hiking. What’s more, in 2011, Whitehorse was recognized as having one of the cleanest air in the world!
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Top attractions in White Horse:
SS Klondike National Historic Site, Miles Canyon, MacBridge Museum of Yukon History, Yukon Wildlife Preserve
2 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in winter.
Taking on several nicknames like the “Bull’s Eye of the Dominion” or the “Gateway to the West,” Winnipeg is Manitoba’s largest city and its capital. Travelers can explore the Canadian Prairies with a stop at Winnipeg, a city with ties to the fur trade, the railway, grain exchange, and the Indigenous communities of Canada. Today, visitors can explore Winnipeg and its reputation as a hub for Canadian art, technology, aerospace, and literature. Check out aircraft exhibits at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada or learn some history at the Manitoba Museum.
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Top Attractions in Winnipeg:
The Forks Market, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Children’s Museum, Kildonan Park
1 Calgary, Alberta
Photo of city view of Calgary, Alberta.
In the summer, Calgary is filled with tourists who come to appreciate the beauty of the Canadian Rockies (which is only a two-hour drive from the city). Aside from enjoying the mountains, visitors can easily enjoy themselves in Calgary in the warmer months. This Alberta cosmopolitan offers an intricate network of paths, bikeways, and acres of green spaces. Visitors can even enjoy some city rafting along the Bow River. In the summer, the Calgary Stampede is a must-see attraction, boasting its reputation as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo!
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Top Attractions in Calgary:
Calgary Tower, Heritage Park, Prince’s Island Park, Nose Hill Park
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